Search Results (172)

Rapid urbanization and the proliferation of heterogeneous urban data have intensified the challenges of semantic interoperability and integrated urban governance. To address this, we propose the Smart City Ontology Framework (SMOF), a standards-driven ontology that unifies Building Information Modeling (BIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Internet of Things (IoT), and relational data. SMOF organizes five core modules and eleven major entity categories, with universal and extensible attributes and relations to support cross-domain data integration. SMOF was developed through competency questions, authoritative knowledge sources, and explicit design principles, ensuring methodological rigor and alignment with real governance needs. Its evaluation combined three complementary approaches against baseline models: quantitative metrics demonstrated higher attribute richness and balanced hierarchy; LLM as judge assessments confirmed conceptual completeness, consistency, and scalability; and expert scoring highlighted superior scenario fitness and clarity. Together, these results indicate that SMOF achieves both structural soundness and practical adaptability. Beyond structural evaluation, SMOF was validated in two representative urban service scenarios, demonstrating its capacity to integrate heterogeneous data, support graph-based querying and enable ontology-driven reasoning. In sum, SMOF offers a robust and scalable solution for semantic data integration, advancing smart city governance and decision-making efficiency. Full article

Preservation of Cultural Heritage (CH) demands precise and comprehensive information representation to document, analyse, and manage assets effectively. While Building Information Modelling (BIM) facilitates as-is state documentation, challenges in semantic interoperability of complex cultural data often limit its potential in heritage contexts. This study investigates the integration of BIM tools with the buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD) platform to enhance semantic interoperability for heritage assets. Using a proof-of-concept approach, the research focuses on a historic tenement house in Tarnów, Poland, modelled with the IFC schema standard and enriched with the MIDAS heritage classification system. The methodology includes transforming the classification system into bSDD data dictionary, publishing thesauri for components, materials, and monument types, and semantic enrichment of the model using Bonsai (formerly BlenderBIM) plugin for Blender. Results demonstrate improved consistency, accuracy, and usability of BIM data for heritage preservation. The integration ensures detailed documentation and facilitates interoperability across platforms, addressing preservation challenges with enriched narratives of cultural significance. This method supports future predictive models for heritage asset conservation, emphasizing the importance of data quality and interoperability in safeguarding shared cultural heritage for future generations. Full article

Museum building information modeling is an emerging research field that harnesses the potential of digitization applied to both architecture and artworks. This present work aims to innovate the current practices by integrating virtual tours and semantic-aware models while also fostering the uses of the informed models beyond management or professional use. The methodology consists of a 3D informed model able to manage the collection catalog, leveraging the BIM paradigm. Subsequently, a VR desktop tool is developed based on panoramic images fully interoperable with data enrichment and all the informative layers. The results demonstrate the feasibility of a workflow for a multilayer platform for museums that balances computational issues and ensures correct representation of various levels of geometry and information. The assessment in a real-world scenario through a fully operative prototype of museum BIM to VR also allows us to outline perspectives for dissemination purposes. Full article

Several studies have proven the impact of the quality of indoor environmental conditions on human professional and cognitive performances. Additionally, building energy efficiency and indoor comfort have attracted increasing interest, encouraging the implementation of advanced digital technologies and platforms for a more efficient management of buildings. In this context, this study proposes a new framework for an effective BIM-IoT integration leading to a nearly Digital Twin (DT) relying on a BIM model equipped with regularly-generated IEQ reports summarizing statistics from real-time collected data to support facility managers’ decision-making. Despite the relevant literature on the subject, the proposed methodology introduces some novelties, as monthly results of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort evaluation are provided by open HTML reports automatically generated through a Python 3.10 code from sensor data. These reports are easily readable without needing any external platform to be visualized and are directly accessible through BIM models. The proposed methodology has been validated on a pilot case study, thus proving its efficiency, effectiveness, and robustness in terms of automation level, interoperability, adaptability, reliability, accuracy in data visualization, and management. The study shows promising results but also some issues that could be addressed through further development of the research. Full article

This paper presents a BIM-oriented methodological framework for integrating air quality monitoring systems based on IoT sensors into building and infrastructure projects. A set of low-cost environmental sensors capable of measuring PM1, PM2.5, PM10, temperature, and humidity was deployed in a real residential setting to illustrate the proposed approach. To enable semantic integration within BIM workflows, a structured classification system, AllBIMclass, was developed. It provides dedicated hierarchical codes for environmental sensors, defined by monitored parameters, installation location (indoor, outdoor, or mixed), power supply, and data handling mode. The pilot experience demonstrated how sensors can be registered, classified, and linked to BIM models, supporting data visualisation and basic management tasks. AllBIMclass is available in Revit 2026 (version 26.6.4.409, build 20250227_1515, 64-bit) (TXT) and Archicad 28 (version 28.0.0, build 3001, x86–64-bit) (XML) formats and is fully compatible with IFC schemas. Although the framework has not yet been applied to large-scale projects, its components are technically operational and ready for implementation. This research contributes to bridging the gap between environmental monitoring and digital construction workflows, paving the way for integration into digital twins, smart buildings, and sustainable infrastructure systems. Full article

Current practices in the construction industry could negatively affect the long lifecycle of building management due to the lack of information and stakeholder management. The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) of integrating BIM models into facility management systems (FMS). This paper conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with industry experts in the FM sector. It used a structured questionnaire to identify the hierarchy arrangement of the identified CSFs using statistical analogies. The findings demonstrated a robust consistency with significant correlation, alongside a strong correlation established using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and strong agreement using Kendall coefficient. Additionally, the Relative Importance Index (RII) was employed to prioritize factors according to the professionals’ assessments, yielding the subsequent impact ranking: (1) define the OIR, AIR, and FM information requirements; (2) acquire correct files, data, and formats; and (3) update of information requirements during the defect liability period (DLP). These findings would help in assisting the management of information during FM operations by establishing clear guidelines to be added into the EIR in the early project initiation stages for a successful integration of BIM-FMS for more efficient life cycle management, operation, and maintenance by the FM. Full article

Digitalization has become a driving force for significant advancements in property/facility management (PFM). It is necessary to identify the research gaps and future research directions, which could enable the effective development of digital technologies (DTs) in the context of PFM. This paper aims to review how DTs emerge to drive digitalization in PFM and identify gaps that need to be addressed in future research. The findings reveal that research on integrating BIM, IoT, AR, AI, and big data in sustainable transformations, real-time data, and energy optimization is limited, with challenges in data security, privacy, and system interoperability. Future research should focus on BIM for sustainability, real-time data, and AR applications, alongside IoT and blockchain integration for security. Investigating VR in maintenance, AI for energy optimization, improved prediction accuracy, and enhanced NLP for chatbots are also critical areas for exploration. This state-of-the-art review summarized the gaps from the existing literature of property management digitalization and provides an update on research gaps and directions for the digitalization in PFM. Full article

The increasing integration of digital technologies in the construction sector is transforming the processes of buildings design, management, and evaluation throughout their life cycle. Life Cycle Costing (LCC), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and openBIM standards play a key role in promoting economic and environmental sustainability. More recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has unlocked novel possibilities for data-driven decision-making and cost optimization. However, the integration of LCC, BIM, and AI is insufficiently explored in the current literature. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) aimed at analyzing two distinct lines of research, LCC–BIM and LCC–AI, and identifying underexplored opportunities for their future convergence. A dual-stream approach was adopted to analyze scientific contributions based on LCC–BIM and LCC–AI separately, using bibliometric analysis and the systematic screening of peer-reviewed articles from 2015 to 2025. The findings reveal that while LCC–BIM integration shows growing methodological maturity, AI-based applications are still in an early stage, with limited implementation in construction-specific contexts. The review identifies key challenges, including data fragmentation, a lack of interoperability, and limited standardization, as significant impediments to integrated digital workflows. By highlighting these gaps and proposing actionable future directions, the paper outlines future research directions focused on open data models, AI-enhanced cost estimation, and the development of interoperable frameworks to support sustainable and intelligent cost management in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector. Full article

This research conducts a systematic literature review of 189 peer-reviewed articles to explore integrating building information modelling (BIM) and offsite construction (OSC). It aims to identify emerging trends, methodologies, and technologies in BIM-OSC integration, focusing on construction stages, stakeholder roles, and BIM dimensions. The research highlights a growing interest in BIM-OSC, particularly in early construction stages, and emphasises 21 collaborative approaches and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, the internet of things (IoT), blockchain, and 3D printing for sustainable development. Nine challenges identified include emerging technologies integration, standardised protocols, improved integration and interoperability of solutions, data management, costs, stakeholders, sustainability, geographical perspectives, and skills considerations. The findings offer a comprehensive roadmap for BIM-OSC implementation, contributing to construction innovation discourse and suggesting future research directions. This research advocates for the robust adoption of BIM and OSC to foster innovation and sustainability in the construction industry. Full article

Interoperability between Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Facility Management (FM) depends on open, vendor-neutral standards. Yet, operational uptake remains constrained by fragmented workflows, incompatible schemas, and non-standardized delivery. This critical review synthesizes OpenBIM pathways—within the buildingSMART ecosystem (Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), Construction–Operations Building information exchange (COBie), Information Delivery Specification (IDS) v1.0, buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD)) and the Level of Information Need (ISO 7817-1:2024)—across technical, managerial, and strategic dimensions. We searched major databases and used guided snowballing to screen a core corpus. Technically, persistent semantic inconsistencies and limited real-time, bidirectional exchange remain; open standards enable machine-checkable deliverables and API-friendly serializations. Managerially, weak Organizational Information Requirements (OIR) → Asset Information Requirements (AIR) → Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) alignment and unclear acceptance criteria undermine FM readiness. Strategically, procurement and risk management should mitigate vendor lock-in. We highlight gaps in FM ontologies and BIM–IoT synchronization and outline an agenda for Digital Twins, automation, and verifiable FM data quality within OpenBIM ecosystems. Full article

Modern construction and infrastructure projects produce large volumes of heterogeneous data, including building information models, JSON sensor streams, and maintenance logs. Ensuring interoperability and data integrity across diverse software platforms requires standardized data exchange methods. However, traditional neutral object models, often constrained by rigid and incompatible schemas, are ill-suited to accommodate the heterogeneity and long-term nature of such data. Addressing this challenge, the study proposes a schema-less data exchange approach that improves flexibility in representing and interpreting infrastructure information. The method uses dynamic JSON-based objects, with infrastructure model definitions serving as semantic guidelines rather than rigid templates. Rule-based reasoning and dictionary-guided term mapping are employed to infer entity types from semi-structured data without enforcing prior schema conformance. Experimental evaluation across four datasets demonstrated exact entity-type match rates ranging from 61.4% to 76.5%, with overall success rates—including supertypes and ties—reaching up to 95.0% when weighted accuracy metrics were applied. Compared to a previous baseline, the method showed a notable improvement in exact matches while maintaining overall performance. These results confirm the feasibility of schema-less inference using domain dictionaries and indicate that incorporating schema-derived constraints could further improve accuracy and applicability in real-world infrastructure data environments. Full article

The aging population in Europe and other developed regions is accelerating the demand for adaptable domestic environments that support independent living and care at home. In this context, ontologies offer a promising approach to represent and manage knowledge about built environments, smart technologies, and user needs—especially within Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems. This paper presents a systematic literature review examining the role of ontologies in the reconfiguration of domestic living spaces, with a focus on their application in design processes and decision support systems. Following the PRISMA methodology, 14 relevant works published between 2000 and 2025 were identified and analyzed. The review explores key aspects such as ontology conceptualization, reuse, engineering methodologies, integration with CAD systems, and validation practices. The results show that research on this topic is fragmented yet growing, with the first contribution dated 2005 and peaks in 2016, 2018, and 2024. Most works (11) were conference papers, with Europe leading the contributions, particularly Italy. Half of the reviewed ontologies were developed “from scratch”, while the rest relied on conceptualizations such as BIM. Ontology reuse was inconsistent: only 50% of works reused existing models (e.g., SAREF, SOSA, BOT, ifcOWL), and few adopted Ontology Design Patterns. While 11 works followed ontology engineering methodologies—mostly custom or established methods such as Methontology or NeOn—stakeholder collaboration was reported in less than 36% of cases. Validation practices were weak: only six studies presented use cases or demonstrators. Integration with CAD systems remains at a prototypical stage, primarily through semantic enrichment and SWRL-based reasoning layers. Remaining gaps include poor ontology accessibility (few provide URLs or W3IDs), limited FAIR compliance, and scarce modeling of end-user needs, despite their relevance for AAL solutions. The review highlights opportunities for collaborative, human-centered ontology development aligned with architectural and medical standards to enable scalable, interoperable, and user-driven reconfiguration of domestic environments. Full article

Urban flooding represents a growing global concern, especially in areas with rapid urbanization, unregulated urban sprawl and climate change conditions. Conventional flood modeling approaches do not effectively capture the complex dynamics between natural watershed behavior and urban infrastructure; they typically simulate these domains in isolation. This study introduces the Watershed-BIM methodology, a three-dimensional simulation framework that integrates Building and City Information Modeling (BIM/CIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Flood Risk Assessment (FRA), and Flood Risk Management (FRM) into a single framework. Autodesk InfraWorks 2024, Civil 3D 2024, and RiverFlow2D v8.14 software are incorporated in the development. The methodology enhances interoperability and prediction accuracy by bridging hydrological processes with detailed urban-scale data. The framework was tested on a real-world flash flood event in Mandra, Greece, an area frequently exposed to extreme rainfall and runoff events. A specific comparison with observed flood characteristics indicates improved accuracy in comparison to other hydrological analyses (e.g., by HEC-RAS simulation). Beyond flood depth, the model offers additional insights into flow direction, duration, and localized water accumulation around buildings and infrastructure. In this context, integrated tools such as Watershed-BIM stand out as essential instruments for translating complex flood dynamics into actionable, city-scale resilience planning. Full article

The construction industry is a major consumer of raw materials and a significant contributor to environmental emissions. Life cycle assessment (LCA) using digital models is a valuable tool for conducting a science-based analysis to reduce these impacts. However, transferring data from environmental product declarations (EPDs) to BIM for the purpose of sustainability assessment requires significant resources for its interpretation and integration. This study is founded on a comprehensive review of the scientific literature and standards, an analysis of published digital EPDs, and a thorough evaluation of IFC (industry foundation classes), identifying twenty gaps for the automated incorporation of LCA data from construction products into BIM. The identified limitations were assessed using the digital model of a building pilot, applying simplifications to incorporate actual EPD data. This paper presents the identified barriers to the automated incorporation of digital EPDs into BIM, and proposes eleven concrete actions to improve IFC 4.3. While prior studies have analyzed the environmental data in IFC, this research is significant in two key areas. Firstly, it focuses on the direct machine interpretation of environmental information without human intervention. Secondly, it is intended to be directly applicable to a revision of the IFC standards. Full article

The integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) into Building Information Modeling (BIM) processes is becoming increasingly important for enhancing the environmental performance of construction projects. This scoping review examines how LCA methods and environmental data are currently integrated into BIM workflows, focusing on automation, data standardization, and visualization strategies. We selected 43 peer-reviewed studies (January 2010–May 2025) via structured searches in five major academic databases. The review identifies five main types of BIM–LCA integration workflows; the most common approach involves exporting quantity data from BIM models to external LCA tools. More recent studies explore the use of artificial intelligence for improving automation and accuracy in data mapping between BIM objects and LCA databases. Key challenges include inconsistent levels of data granularity, a lack of harmonized EPD formats, and limited interoperability between BIM and LCA software environments. Visualization methods such as color-coded 3D models are used to support early-stage decision-making, although uncertainty representation remains limited. To address these issues, future research should focus on standardizing EPD data structures, enriching BIM objects with validated environmental information, and developing explainable AI solutions for automated classification and matching. These advancements would improve the reliability and usability of LCA in BIM-based design, contributing to more informed decisions in sustainable construction. Full article